- Produced mainly by the testicles and to a much smaller extent adrenal in men. In women, the adrenal glands and ovaries are responsible for most of the production. Estrogen is made from testosterone in both sexes via aromatase enzymes.
- The benefits of optimal testosterone levels go far beyond improving sex drive and physique composition in both sexes.
- Optimal levels improve mood, reduce stress, increases drive to accomplish goals, heart health, prostate health, growth hormone production, insulin sensitivity, and brain health.
- Once you start noticing a decline in sex drive and function you have already had low testosterone levels for a long time.
- Stress and fatigue reduce testosterone just as much as age does
- From age 30 and beyond testosterone starts to drop at 1-3 percent each year. The number is likely much higher due to environmental toxins, poor diet, and stress.
- An estimated 20 million American men suffer from low T levels of all ages.
- Poor training performance and just a lack of zeal for life and a feeling of being energetic are early signs your testosterone levels are declining rapidly.
- Emotional stress has a huge negative impact on optimal testosterone levels
- Men with Low T have a 33% greater death risk over their next 18 years of life compared to men with higher levels.
- The heart is the organ with the highest concentration of testosterone receptors. Thus low T levels have a negative impact on heart health and higher levels can improve heart health.
- The brain is second only to the heart with an abundance of testosterone receptors. optimal T improves brain health, focus, and lowers depression, anxiety and panic disorders.
- According to Dr. Mark Gordon, “Free Testosterone is what penetrates the brain and is picked up by cells.”
- Is important for a healthy immune response and also protecting the body from inflammation
- Low T puts men at greater risk of developing a hip fracture and is very important for bone density
- Does not put men at greater risk of prostate cancer, in fact, having low levels puts one at greater risk.
- Opioids lower luteinizing hormone which in turn lowers testosterone
- Protects the heart and arteries
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Can lower high cholesterol
- Protects the pancreas, kidneys, and digestive organs
- Prevents joint and muscle pain
- Improves bone health
- Builds muscle, strength, and reduces body fat
- Reduces cellulite in women
- Help prevent wrinkles
- Keeps mucous membranes moist
- Increases hair growth on the head and improves beard fullness
- Improves stress management abilities
- Increases energy and endurance
- Makes one more assertive and likely to take the initiative
- Helps you blast through obstacles and handle difficulties
Signs of low testosterone
- Decreased bone density
- Decreased Libido
- Loss of early morning and spontaneous erections (erectile dysfunction makes you far more prone to a heart attack and stroke)
- Depression
- Lack of self-confidence and initiative
- More emotional
- Increased cellulite in women
- Excessive sweating and even hot flashes in men as well
- Fat cheek muscles
- Wrinkles around the mouth
- Hair loss
- Dry skin and eyes
- Poorly developed beards
- Poor sleep
- Mercurial personality, irritable, grumpy, full of anxiety
- Tired all the time
- Memory problems and poor focus
- Excess body fat in particular at the pecs and midsection (increased body fat equals an increase in aromatase enzymes which convert testosterone to estrogen)
- Heart issues
- Difficulty building muscle mass and strength or even maintaining what you have
- Skin tone issues more wrinkles
- Weakened immune system
- Prostate issues
STEPS TO INCREASE TESTOSTERONE
According to Dr. Edwin Lee, avoiding toxins is crucial
- BPA in plastic products is a xenoestrogen
- Phthalates make plastic softer and are another xenoestrogen (is in IV tubings)
- Parabens (food and cosmetic preservatives) also interfere with testosterone production
- Sauna is a great way to detoxify and clean out toxins and heavy metals
- Avoid or minimize Alcohol consumption as alcohol converts testosterone into estrogen
- Meat, dairy, and eggs from factory farms are full of endocrine disrupting chemicals and will have a negative impact on testosterone production. Eat only organic sources.
- The right dose of exercise will increase T. Too much will lower it.
- After 45-60 minutes of hard training, cortisol starts to rise and T declines. Intense workouts with a focus on compound exercises have the most impact on T.
- A balanced diet full of healthy fats can increase T levels naturally (essential fatty acids, adequate protein intake as protein increases the hormone glucagon which in turn increases T and GH, fasting, longer stretches between meals)
- Eat hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds for healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc
- Consume olive oil and coconut oil as both help convert cholesterol into testosterone in the testes
- Address leptin and insulin resistance. High glucose levels lower testosterone.
- Address adrenaline resistance and adrenaline dominance
- Eight hours of deep sleep every night
- Lose body fat but not too fast as rapid decreases will cause T levels to plummet
- Address vitamin and mineral deficiencies: zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin D, boron, copper, selenium.
- Take the Aggressive Strength Testosterone Booster loaded with the best herbs for increasing T bulbine natalensis, mucuna pruriens, stinging nettle root, ashwagandha.
- Take adaptogens such as what is in RED: Rhodiola, Shilajit, Maca, and ashwagandha.
- Use the fertility drug Clomid at 25mg every third day to increase natural production.
- Use DHEA cream (especially for increasing T for women)
- TRT (shots or cream) (if you use TRT you have to also take pregnenolone and DHEA as TRT downregulates the upstream hormones)
- “High c-reactive protein has a negative impact on nitric oxide levels which will in turn fuel ED”—Dr. Mark Gordon
- 100mg of Pycnogenol and 6 grams of citrulline powder helps with erection strength.
REFERENCE RANGES
To calculate optimal level follow Dr. Mark Gordon’s recommendation of adding the bottom and top numbers and diving by two. 675 ng/dl and up optimal for total and free 95 pg/ml and up
Free testosterone is often lower in athletes due to androgen receptor uptake.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Men 1.7 to 8.6 mIU/ML median is 5.1 mIU/ml.
Women
Follicular phase 2.3 to 12.6
Ovulation phase 14 to 95.6
Luteal phase 1.0 to 11.4
Postmenopausal phase 7.7 to 58.5
**Luteal phase or day 21 is the ideal time for a blood draw
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Men 1.5 to 12.4mIU/ml, median is 7.0
Women
Follicular phase 3.5 to 12.5 mIU/ml
Ovulation phase 4.7 to 21.5
Luteal phase 1.7 to 7.7
Postmenopausal phase 25.8 to 134.8
Testosterone
Men: Total 250-1100ng/dl Free 35-155 pg/ml
Women: 8-60ng/dl, free 0.2 to 2.6ng/dl
Sex hormone binding globulin
Men 10 to 80 nmol/L ideal is less than 45 nmol/l
Women: 20 to 130nmol/L less than 75 nmol/L
SOURCES
The Hormone solution, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe
Mastering the Life Plan, Dr. Jeffrey Life
Traumatic Brain Injury, Dr. Mark Gordon
The Natural Testosterone Plan For Sexual Health And Energy, Stephen Buhner
http://www.ergo-log.com/stress-fatigue-testosterone-age.html
